The Aligarh district administration has announced new regulations preventing cold storage facilities from disposing of spoiled potatoes through dumping or burial. Instead, these facilities will now be required to convert degraded potatoes into compost fertilizer through scientific methods.
New Guidelines and Implementation
The directive, issued by BL Meena, Principal Secretary of the Horticulture Department, has been sent to all District Magistrates and District Horticulture Officers across the state. The order comes following concerns about environmental impact and National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines.
Current Situation
- The district has approximately 118 private cold storage facilities
- 114 facilities store potatoes and fruits
- Annual potato storage capacity is around 12.5 lakh metric tons
- 1-2% of vegetables typically deteriorate due to various factors
Environmental Impact
Previously, cold storage operators would either dump spoiled produce by roadsides or bury it in pits. This practice has been banned as it affects soil minerals and chemicals, leading to soil and groundwater contamination.
New Process
Under the new regulations:
- Cold storage facilities must set up composting plants within two months
- The composting process will be monitored by experts
- Facilities must maintain records of compost production
- The resulting compost will be sold to farmers
This initiative aims to create an environmentally sustainable solution while providing additional revenue streams for cold storage facilities and beneficial fertilizer for farmers.
